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Kingsley Heritage Celebration: Fort George Island Through the Ages
February 22, 2020
This event celebrates the 6000 years of history that is represented physically on Fort George Island. The Island was part of Gov Tonyn’s Plantation during British period 1763-1784. Stations will include the First Spanish Period Mission San Juan del Puerto, British Period Fort St. George, 19th century plantation life, and early 20th century recreation. Total stations will be around 15 on a 50-acre site. Camp space will only have room for three tents as a result. Expected number of attendees/visitors to be 800-1000.
Persona for the EFR camp is Revolutionary War, British period. The only pavilion is the stable, which can be used in a pinch, but has limited space; please bring canvas flys in case of inclement weather and your own seating. Potable water is available in 5-gallon containers.
Due to the sensitive nature of the park, a single campfire will be limited to the cooking demonstration area at top of the slave cabin arc. Cooking can be done at the cooking station at the top of the slave cabin arc. Firewood will be provided. However, no braziers are allowed. Therefore, food is a challenge. You need to bring things you do not need to cook. No ice is available for your coolers.
NPS provides rolled cartridges. There will be a Saturday morning inspection prior to the event at approximately 9:45am
Most of the people participating in the event are local volunteers and rangers. In addition to musket firing, there are expected to be, as part of the plantation demonstrations, cooking, butter churning, candlemaking, spinning, weaving, dyeing, games, musicians, carpentry, blacksmithing, and tabby making. Mission period demos will include quill and ink writing and toy crossbow firing. Late 19th, early 20th century will be represented by a Spanish American War display and a cricket workshop.
There is no RV/trailer camping available on site. The nearest camping facilities are at Huguenot Park (10980 Hecksher Drive Jacksonville FL 32226) and Little Talbot Island State Park (12157 Heckscher Dr. Jacksonville FL 32226). Both sites required reservations.
Arrival and setup is Friday February 21, 2020, between 9 and 5. (arrangements can be made for later arrivals with the NPS). Teardown of campsites is required by 10am Sunday February 23, 2020. Therefore, this is a one day event.
All forms and a Kingsley map can be downloaded by going to the East Florida Rangers calendar for this event.